The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-01-12
INTERESTING STORY.
ROAST TURKEY.

" / thought you were going home thu
first Of September :" Martha Stokes said
with a look half-shys half-saucy, that vel,
became her sweet. Quaker face.
8 stayed for the foliage" Mr.. Trayers
replied, setting his color-bo down ON the
step. Il never saw anything like these
swamp naples of yours"
6 don't think much of the foliage in
November Martha said, plunging her
white fingers among the cranherries she was
picking
That doesn't sonnd very hospitable, I"
said Travers, looking rather anxiously at
the serene face opposite him. I" Are you in
hurry to ave me go:"
Not particularly"
You don't care one way or the other -
That depends upon whether you prove
yourself a help or q hindranre. I didn't
mind you all summer, because you were
always out of doors sketching; but if you
are to stay here all winter bothering about
the house, may wish you were in Guinea. +"
81 hope not said Tuvers. humbly.
I'll try and be great help to you, if you
Kill only tell me how. Let me help you
1ow."
I'm almost through, said Martha. per-
yersely.
Well, give me something else to do
What are you going to have for dinner ?'
"Roast turkey"
q What do You have to do with it !" he
asked, innocently.
am accustomed to kill it,n she said
with demure look. You might do that
for me. DO You see that big gobbler over
in the poultry yard-that one with the tail
feathers out Well, if you don't mind. I'd
like his head chopped Off hate to do it
myself. The sight of blood always makes
me sick. ands=one grows attached to the
poor things. often wish there was tur-
key euillotine.
Why, never killed chicken or a tur
key in my life" exclaimed Travers, with
dismay.
You are not afraid 2" queried Martha
leveling her calm, gray eyes at him in sur
prise.
"Of course not p' said Travers, nervous
ly. am perfectly willing to do it, only
don't know how"
Why, it's the easiest thing in the
world" said Martha, briskly ''There's
the wood-block, and there's the axe. Catch
the turkey by the legf, an | lay its head on
the block then all you've got to do is to
chop"
Travers had his misgiyings, but he would
not have uttered them for worlds.
He opened the gate of the poultry yard,
whittier Martha's eyes followed him with a
Wrinkle of amusement.
He was born an artist, fastidious to a
fault, and she knew he would about as soor
pick up rattlesnake as handle one of the
unwashed denizens of Acknowledgment.
II was fun for her to watch him. Every
time he got near the turkey, il took itself
off to a less dangerous locality; and when,
after chasing it around and around the in
closure, he finally got the creature by the
legs, it Topped its wings in his face, and he
let ii go. By this time, Martha was scream.
ing with laughter.
:" Let me catch it for yon," she said.
No ~ said Trayers, determinedly. Pm
for it now"
1t was a wild chase-qnite absurd, in
Iced, because it was SO unnecessary; and
when Trayers finally captured his prey,
Martha had completely lost her composure.
" What ore You going to do nowt" she
asked, as he gave the gobbler q shake.
81 don't know any torture too great fol
him" said Travers, breathlessly. s.Aftei
all the trouble he has caused me, l think l
should like to roast him alive |"
g And serve him with a garnish OF burn
ell feathers. Do you think you would real
" enjoy your revenge2"
&c Oh, shall do exactly as you told me-
mid Trayers, taking up the axe. II shall
not allow myself the least indulgence of my
inclinations." ....
1t was some time before he got the tur-
keys head on the block properly.
9 Do hurry up,p cried Martha, shutting
her eyes :. You make me nervous"
Almost at the same moment there was a
dull thud, as Trayers brought the axe down
vigorously but at the critical moment, the
turkey gave q frantic flop. Travers let GO
As usual, and the lucky fowl escaped from
under the axe, to fly screaming over the
fence.
Martha opened her eyes, and saw grow
ing pool of blood, but no turkey. Travers
was down on one knee, holding his foot.
.'Oh," she cried, flying to him, "you
have cut your foot am SO sorry. 1t is
badly hurt p
Yes-rm afraid it's pretty nearly cut
81" said Travers, family.
He was growing very white, for the blood
poured over everything, and in moment
more he fell over quite unconscious.
Martha was badly frightened, but she
knew what to do and did it. Quick as a
dash, she made of her nprona Iigaturs for
the wounded leg, whiis her shrill cry for
help brought her father and the hired man
quickly to the scene.
foot in twain, but the surgeon who was
summoned promised to save the member, if
the patient would follow his directions.
"Of course he will do that y said Mar.
tina, brislsly. spllsee to It. have him
in my power now. He win have to do as
say. There win be no sketching now till
after Christmas"
He ought to mind you, " said the doctor.
you saved his life. He would have bled
% death in very few minutes"